RU2468528C2 - Information recording device, image filming device, information recording method and software - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technologies.

SUBSTANCE: image filming module 250 generates a filmed image. An position information receiving module 220 receives information on a position at the time, when the filmed image is generated. A module 230 to define an area of position information addition prohibiting determines, whether a position (current position) shall be included or not, which is established on the basis of position information received by the position information receiving module 220, in the area of position information addition prohibiting. The module 240 for definition of position information addition determines, on the basis of the definition result produced by the module 230 for definition of a position information addition prohibiting area, whether or not position information record shall be permitted as associated with the taken image, at the moment of time, when the taken image generated by the module 250 of image filming, shall be recorded. A record control module 270 records a file of image of a taken image, generated with a module 250 of image filming, and position information record into an image file is controlled, on the basis of a definition result, produced by a module 240 for definition of position information addition.

EFFECT: possibility to record position information jointly with content.

10 cl, 18 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an information recording apparatus and, more particularly, to an information recording apparatus and an image pickup apparatus configured to record position information together with content, a method for recording information in these devices, and a program that enables a computer to execute this method.

State of the art

Currently, image pickup devices, such as digital still camera, for capturing photographic images of subjects such as people and recording captured images, exist as information recording devices that record content. In addition, using a network such as the Internet and recording media, the captured images recorded by the image pickup devices are widely distributed to people other than those who captured the image data. In addition, by publishing captured images recorded by image pickup devices using websites and the Internet or the like, they are also widely distributed.

In addition, in recent years, a digital camera has been proposed that receives position information using GPS (Global Navigation System), and adds position information to the captured image, and records the captured image (for example, see publication No. 2000-261704 pending application for a Japanese patent (figure 1)). When, thus, position information is added to the captured image, the user who received such a captured image can obtain information about the location where the captured image was taken.

For example, in the case where the image is taken at the user's home using the prior art described above, personal information such as the address of the user's home can be added to the captured image as position information. Here, personal information, such as a home address, is information that is undesirable to disclose to people other than the user’s acquaintances. However, in the case where a captured image to which personal information has been added, such as position information, is published using a website or the like, position information added to the captured image becomes available to third parties.

Therefore, a content data processing device was proposed that transmits, when transmitting an image file, to which personal information has been added that is undesirable to disclose to others, an image file after deleting personal information when using a user operation (for example, see Publication No. 2007-88754 pending application for a Japanese patent (figure 1)).

According to the prior art described above, for example, in the case where a captured image to which position information is added that is undesirable to be disclosed to others should be published using a website or the like, position information may be deleted using the operation user, and then the captured image can be published. In this way, disclosure to other people of position information added to the captured image is prevented.

However, in the prior art described above, each time a user transmits a captured image, it is necessary for the user to individually determine whether or not to delete position information added to the captured image and to perform a delete operation. Therefore, the problem arises that the determination associated with the determination of whether or not to perform the deletion, and the deletion operation become time-consuming. In addition, in the case when the user forgets to perform the delete operation when transmitting the captured image, the captured image, to which information about a position that is undesirable to disclose to people other than the user's acquaintances, may be added, may become open to the public.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to prevent disclosure of position information related to personal information to other people when using the content.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is made in order to solve the problem described above, and its first aspect is based on an information recording device, its information recording method and a program that enables the computer to execute this method. The information recording apparatus includes a content generating unit that generates content; a position information obtaining module that receives position information at the time of generating the content; an area determination module that determines whether or not a position established based on the received position information is included in a specific area; a position information addition determination module that determines based on a determination result obtained by the area determination module whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at a time when the generated content is to be recorded; and a recording control unit that performs, based on a determination result obtained by the position information adding determination unit, managing recording the obtained position information in the generated content. Accordingly, there is an operation in which it is determined whether or not a position established based on position information obtained during the generation of the content is included in a specific area; at the same time, on the basis of its determination, it is determined whether or not to allow the recording of position information in association with the content at the point in time when the content should be recorded; and based on the result of its determination, control is performed for recording position information in the content.

In addition, in the first aspect, the information recording device may further include a module for storing conditions for adding position information, which stores a condition for adding position information, which stores a condition for adding position information that determines whether or not to allow recording of received information about position in association with the generated content, in the case where the position established on the basis of the received position information is included in a specific area. The module for determining the addition of position information may determine whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at the time when the generated content should be recorded, based on the determination received by the module for determining the area and the conditions for adding position information, the conditions for adding position information stored in the storage module. Accordingly, there is an operation that determines whether or not to allow the recording of position information in association with the content at the point in time when the content should be recorded, based on the determination result obtained by the area determination module and the condition for adding position information.

In addition, in the first aspect, the module for storing the condition for adding position information may save, as a condition for adding position information, a plurality of recording parameters at a time when the generated content is to be recorded. The information recording device may further include an operation receiving module that receives a notation operation that designates at least one recording parameter among a plurality of recording parameters stored in the storage unit for the condition information adding condition storage module. The module for determining the addition of position information may determine whether or not to allow recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at the time when the generated content should be recorded based on the determination result obtained by the region determining module and the designated recording parameter. The recording control module may perform, based on the determination result obtained by the position information adding determination determining module, the recording of the obtained position information in the generated content is managed, and it is possible to record the generated content in accordance with the designated recording parameter. Accordingly, there is an operation consisting in determining whether or not to enable recording of position information in association with the content at the point in time when the content should be recorded, based on the determination result obtained by the area determining module and the assigned recording parameter; based on its determination result, control is performed for recording position information in the content; and the content is recorded in accordance with the designated recording parameter.

In addition, in accordance with the first aspect, the information recording device may further include a recording parameter storage unit that stores a plurality of recording parameters at a time when the generated content is to be recorded. The position information addition determination module may determine, for each recording parameter, whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at a time when the generated content is to be recorded based on the determination result obtained by the area determination module, and many recording options. The recording control module can sequentially perform, for a plurality of recording parameters, managing to write the obtained position information to the generated content based on the determination result obtained by the position information adding determining unit, and enables each recording parameter of the sequential recording of the generated content in accordance with the plurality of recording parameters . Accordingly, there is an operation that determines whether or not to allow the recording of position information in association with the content at the time when the content should be recorded, for each recording parameter, based on the determination result obtained by the area determination module and the set of parameters Records based on its determination result, managing the recording of position information in the content is sequentially performed for each recording parameter; and content is sequentially recorded for each recording parameter in accordance with a plurality of recording parameters.

In addition, in the first aspect, the recording parameter storage module may store many combinations of recording parameters at a time when the generated content is to be recorded. The information recording module may further include an operation receiving module that receives a notation operation that designates at least one combination among a plurality of combinations stored in the recording parameter storage module. The module for determining the addition of position information may determine, for each of the plurality of recording parameters related to the indicated combination, whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at the time when the generated content should be recorded, based on the determination result, obtained by the domain determination module, and a plurality of recording parameters related to the indicated combination. The recording control module can sequentially perform, for each of the recording parameters related to the assigned combination, managing the recording of the obtained position information in the generated content based on the determination result obtained by the position information adding determination module, and provide the possibility for each recording parameter of the sequential recording of the generated content, in accordance with a variety of recording parameters related to the indicated combination. Accordingly, there is an operation which, for each of the plurality of recording parameters related to the assigned combination, determines whether or not to enable recording of position information in association with the content at the point in time when the content should be recorded, based on the result of the determination obtained a domain determination module and a plurality of recording parameters related to the combination; based on its determination result, managing the recording of position information in the content is sequentially performed for each of the recording parameters related to the combination; and contents are sequentially recorded for each recording parameter in accordance with a plurality of recording parameters related to the combination.

In addition, in a first aspect, the position information adding determination determining module may determine whether to allow the recording of generated content without associating the obtained position information with the content when the position established based on the obtained position information is included in a certain area, and determine the resolution of the recording of the content with the association of the received position information with the content, in the case where the position established on the basis of the received position information, e included in a certain region. Accordingly, there is an operation that is determined so that it is not associated with position information with content, when the position established based on the received position information is included in a certain area, and it is determined that the information should be associated. about the situation with the content, in the case when the position determined on the basis of the received information about the situation is not included in a certain area.

In addition, in the first aspect, the determined area may be an area including a position related to personal information. Accordingly, there is an operation for which it is determined whether the position information based on the obtained position information at the time that the content is generated is included in an area including personal information related to the position.

In addition, in a first aspect, the information recording apparatus may further include an operation receiving unit that receives a designation operation that designates an area on a map as a specific area. In accordance with this, there is an operation consisting in the fact that the area on the map is designated as a specific area.

In addition, a second aspect of the present invention relates to an image pickup apparatus, to a method for recording information thereof, and to a program that enables a computer to execute a method. The image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup module that captures an image of a photographic subject and generates a captured image; a position information obtaining module that obtains position information at a time when a captured image is generated; an area determination module that determines whether or not a position established based on the received position information is included in a specific area; a position information addition determination module that determines based on a determination result obtained by the area determination module whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated captured image at a point in time when the generated captured image should be recorded; and a recording control module that performs, based on a determination result obtained by the position information adding determination determining module, recording control of the obtained position information in the generated captured image. Accordingly, there is an operation that determines whether or not a position established on the basis of position information obtained at a point in time when a captured image is generated is included in a certain area; based on its determination result, it is determined whether or not to provide the ability to record position information, in association with the captured image, at the point in time when the captured image should be recorded; and based on its determination result, control is performed for recording position information in the captured image.

According to the present invention, an excellent preferred effect can be achieved in that disclosure of position information regarding personal information is prevented to other people when the content is used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an image pickup apparatus 100 in accordance with the information of the present embodiment.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating details stored in a module 210 for storing an area of prohibition of adding position information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a diagram illustrating an overview of an installation method of setting a prohibition area for adding position information on an LCD panel 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a plan view illustrating a case where an image is taken using the image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example file structure for an image file recorded using the image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image file recorded using the image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating process steps for setting a prohibition area for adding position information using the image pickup apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a flowchart illustrating process steps for a captured image recording process using the image pickup apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

10 is a diagram illustrating an installation method of setting the prohibition area of adding position information on the liquid crystal panel 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a diagram schematically illustrating details stored in modules 420 and 430 for storing a prohibition area for adding position information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a diagram schematically illustrating details stored in the state information adding condition storage unit 510 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

14 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps of a captured image recording process using the image pickup apparatus 500, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a diagram schematically illustrating details stored in a recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 and a position information adding condition storage unit 620 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps of a captured image recording process using the image pickup apparatus 600, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps of a captured image recording process using the image pickup apparatus 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image pickup apparatus 100 includes a CPU (CPU, central processing unit) 110, ROM (ROM, read-only memory) 120, RAM (RAM, random access memory) 130, camera module 140, operation receiving module 150, display module 160, a storage module 170, a GPS signal processing module 180 (Global Navigation System), and a bus 190. An image pickup device 100 may be implemented, for example, based on a digital camera configured to obtain position information and record position information in an association tion the decompressed image.

The CPU 110 is configured to control each module of the image pickup device 100 based on various control programs stored in the ROM 120. In addition, the CPU 110 controls each module of the image pickup device 100 based on an input operation or the like received by the operation receiving unit 150. It should be noted that the control performed by the CPU 110 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The ROM 120 is a read-only memory device and is configured to save various control programs and the like.

RAM 130 is a memory device used as a random access memory (main memory) of the CPU 110, and includes a work area or the like of a program executed by the CPU 110.

The camera module 140 is configured to capture an image of a subject of photographing and generate a captured image. The camera module 140 includes an optical system 141, an image pickup device 142, an A / D (analog to digital) conversion module 143, and a signal processing module 144.

The optical system 141 is constructed of a plurality of lenses (magnification lenses, focusing lenses (not shown), etc.) that condense light from the subject being photographed. Incident light from the photographic subject is supplied through these lenses and aperture (not shown) to the image pickup device 142.

The image pickup device 142 is configured to perform, on the basis of the control of the CPU 110, a photoelectric conversion of the optical signal from the subject of photography, which enters through the optical system 141, into an analog image signal, and outputting this analog image signal obtained as a result of such photoelectric conversion to module 143 A / D conversion. An image pickup device such as a CCD sensor (CCD, charge coupled device) or a CMOS sensor (CMOS, complementary metal oxide semiconductor) can be used as the image pickup device 142.

The A / D conversion module 143 is configured to apply to the analog signal based on the control of the CPU 110 such processing as removing noise from the analog image signal supplied from the image pickup device 142, and performing A / D conversion of the image signal that has been processed by the analog signals. Image data, which is a digital signal obtained as a result of such A / D conversion, is supplied to a signal processing unit 144.

The signal processing module 144 is adapted to apply to the digital signal based on the control of the CPU 110 such processing as improving the circuit, correcting the gamma characteristic, and removing flicker from the image data supplied from the A / D conversion module 143. Image data that has been digitally processed is supplied as a captured image to a display module 160 or the like. In addition, the captured image is stored in the storage unit 170.

The operation receiving module 150 is an operation receiving module that receives operation details entered by the user, and the operation receiving module 150 outputs a signal in accordance with the details of the received operation to the CPU 110. For example, in an image pickup mode, which is a state in which an image can be recorded, an operation element, such as a shutter button 151 (shown in FIG. 4 and the like) for starting a recorded image recording operation, is included in the image pickup apparatus 100. Here, the image pickup apparatus 100 can set a normal image pickup mode, which is an image pickup mode in which position information is not recorded in the image file, and an image pickup mode with the addition of position information, which is an image pickup mode in which information the position is recorded in the image file under some condition, in accordance with the operation entered from the operation receiving unit 150. It should be noted that a case will be described below as an example when the image pickup apparatus 100 is set to the image pickup mode with the addition of position information. It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present invention, an example will be described in which a part of the operation receiving unit 150 and the display unit 160 are constructed as a single part with the liquid crystal panel 300 (shown in FIG. 4 and the like). Here, the liquid crystal panel 300 is constructed with a touch panel that displays a selection button or the like, which allows you to select the area that your finger or the like has touched.

The display module 160 is a display module that displays various items of information based on the control of the CPU 110. For example, in the shooting mode, captured images generated by the camera module 140 are sequentially displayed in the display module 160. A display, such as an LCD (liquid crystal display), can be used as the display module 160.

The storage module 170 is a storage module that stores, based on the control of the CPU 110, a captured image generated by the camera module 140. Here, various data items, such as a JPEG image file (Joint Photographic Image Expert Group), are recorded in a storage unit 170. In addition, a recording medium such as a memory card, an optical disk, a magnetic disk or a magnetic tape can be used as a storage unit 170. The recording medium may be included in the image pickup apparatus 100 or may be detachably connected to the image pickup apparatus 100.

The GPS signal processing module 180 is configured to calculate position information based on a GPS signal received by the GPS antenna (not shown), and the GPS signal processing module 180 outputs the calculated position information to the CPU 110. It should be noted that the calculated position information includes separate position-related data elements such as latitude, longitude, and altitude.

2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image pickup apparatus 100 includes a module 210 for storing an area of prohibition of adding position information, a module 220 for obtaining position information, a module 230 for determining a region of prohibition of adding position information, a module 240 for determining addition of position information, a module 250 for acquiring an image 260 shutter operations, recording control unit 270 and image storage unit 280.

The module 210 for storing the prohibition area for adding position information is configured to save the prohibition area for adding position information set by the user, and supplies the stored prohibition area for adding position information to the module 230 for determining the prohibition area for adding position information. Here, the prohibition area for adding position information is an area relating to the private life of an individual or personal information, and an area including a position (address, place name, etc.) that is undesirable to disclose to other people than the user’s acquaintances. For example, an area that includes a home, an office, a daily commute to work route, a child’s route, such as a day nursery, kindergarten, elementary school, high school, high school or college, partner’s house, and parent’s house can be indicated as areas of prohibition of adding position information. In addition, position information is information that includes indirect data generated based on information or a position used to establish a position such as an address or a place name. It should be noted that the module 210 save the area of the prohibition of adding position information corresponds to the RAM 130 shown in figure 1. In addition, the details stored in the module 210 storing the area of the prohibition of adding position information will be described in detail with reference to Fig.3.

The position information obtaining unit 220 is configured to calculate position information based on the GPS signal, and the position information obtaining unit 220 supplies the calculated position information to the area detection prohibition area determining unit 230. It should be noted that the position information obtaining unit 220 corresponds to the GPS signal processing unit 180 shown in FIG.

The module 230 for determining the region of prohibition of adding position information is configured to determine whether or not the position established on the basis of the position information output from the module of obtaining position information in at least one of the regions of prohibition of adding position information is turned on, stored in the module 210 save the area of the prohibition of adding position information. Module 230 determining the area of the prohibition of adding position information sequentially outputs the determination result to the module 240 of determining the addition of position information. It should be noted that the module 230 determining the area of the prohibition of adding position information corresponds to the CPU 110 shown in figure 1. In addition, the module 230 to determine the area of the prohibition of adding position information is an example of a module for determining the area described in the claims.

The position information addition determination module 240 is configured to determine, based on the determination result output from the position information prohibition area determination module 230, whether or not the position information output from the position information obtaining module 220 should be recorded in association with the shot the image generated by the image pickup module 250. The position information addition determination unit 240 sequentially outputs the determination result to the recording control unit 270. In particular, in the case where the position (current position) established on the basis of the position information output from the position information obtaining unit 220 is not included in any of the prohibition areas of adding position information stored in the storage unit 210 of the adding prohibition area position information, determine that it is required to record the captured image in association with the position information. In contrast, in the case where the current position is included in any of the prohibition areas of adding position information, the recording of the captured image is determined without association with the position information. It should be noted that the position information addition determination module 240 corresponds to the CPU 110 shown in FIG.

The image pickup unit 250 is configured to convert the incident light from the subject of photography in accordance with a specific image pickup parameter and generate the captured image, and the image pickup unit 250 outputs the generated captured image to the recording control unit 270. It should be noted that the image pickup module 250 corresponds to the camera module 140 shown in FIG. In addition, the image pickup module 250 is an example of a content generating module and an image pickup module described in the claims.

The shutter operation receiving unit 260 is an operation receiving unit that receives a shutter operation performed by a user and outputs an instruction for recording the captured image to the recording control unit 270. Thus, in the case where the shutter button 151 (shown in FIG. 4 and the like) is pressed to record a still image, the captured image generated by the image pickup unit 250 after such pressing is recorded as an image file in the image storage unit 280 . It should be noted that the shutter operation receiving unit 260 corresponds to the operation receiving unit 150 shown in FIG.

The recording control unit 270 is configured to execute when a recording instruction is output from the shutter operation receiving unit 260, generating a captured image image file output from the image pickup unit 250, and recording this image file in the image storage unit 280. In addition, at the point in time when the image file is to be generated, the recording control unit 270 controls whether or not to write position information output from the position information obtaining unit 220 to the image file based on the determination result output from the module 240 definitions of adding position information. In particular, in the case where the determination result output from the position information addition determining unit 240 is a determination result indicating that the captured image should be recorded in association with the position information, the position information is recorded in the captured image image file. In contrast, in the case where the determination result output from the position information adding determination unit 240 is a determination result indicating that the captured image should be recorded without associating with the position information, the position information is not recorded in the file images of the captured image. It should be noted that the recording control module 270 corresponds to the CPU 110 shown in FIG.

The image storage unit 280 is configured to save the image file generated by the recording control unit 270. It should be noted that the image storage module 280 corresponds to the storage module 170 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating details stored in a module 210 for storing an area of prohibition of adding position information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the module 210 for storing the area for prohibiting the addition of position information, the control number 211, the position 212 of the center of the region for prohibiting the addition of position information and the radius 213 of the area for prohibiting adding position information are stored. It should be noted that in the example shown in FIG. 3, a case will be described in which an area defined as a circle is set as a prohibition area for adding position information.

The control number 211 is an identification number assigned by each of the user prohibition area for adding position information. For example, control numbers 1, 2, 3 ... are stored in accordance with the specified order.

The position 212 of the center of the prohibition area to add position information is the data indicating the position of the center of the prohibition area of adding position information set by the user. For example, the latitude and longitude corresponding to the position of the center of the prohibition area for adding position information are stored in association with a number in the control number 211.

The radius 213 of the prohibition area for adding position information is data indicating the radius of the prohibition area for adding position information set by the user. For example, the value in units of meter (m) is stored in association with the number in control number 211. It should be noted that these settings of the prohibition area of adding position information will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

4 is a diagram illustrating a general structure of an installation method of setting a prohibition area for adding position information on a liquid crystal panel 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the case where the prohibition area for adding position information is to be set on the liquid crystal panel 300, for example, an instruction operation is performed to provide a screen for setting the prohibition area for adding position information for setting the prohibition area for adding position information on the menu screen ( not shown) displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300. After this operation, the instructions perform an assignment operation that assigns an area in which to set The prohibition area for adding position information has been updated. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, in the case where the user's house 311 and the office 313, as well as the child’s school 312 must be separately set as prohibition areas for adding position information, an operation is performed that provides a screen for setting the prohibition area for adding information the position including the map, which corresponds to the area where the house 311, school 312 and office 313 are displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300. It should be noted that the card information for displaying the map included in the screen Settings addition prohibition region on the position information may be stored, e.g., in the RAM 130 and obtained from the RAM 130 in accordance with the destination user operation. In addition, the card information may be stored in the card information storage device different from the image pickup device 100, and the card information may be obtained from the card information storage device via a network such as the Internet. In addition, in the case where the prohibition of adding position information is to be set, such a prohibition of adding position information can be set to a device (personal computer or the like) different from the image pickup apparatus 100, and the stored details can be transferred in and stored in the image pickup apparatus 100.

On the screen for setting the prohibition area for adding position information, a map of the area designated by the user is displayed, and the “new” button 301, the “delete” button 302 and the “enter” button 303 are presented on this map. The “new” button 301 is a button that is pressed in the case when it is necessary to add the prohibition area for adding position information again. The delete button 302 is a button that is pressed in the case where the already saved region of the prohibition of adding position information is to be deleted. The “enter” button 303 is a button that is pressed when an operation is to be entered which consists in adding or deleting a prohibition area for adding position information on a current displayed map.

Next, a case will be described when the house 311 should be set as the prohibition area for adding position information on the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information shown in FIG. 4. First, the user presses the “new” button 301 displayed on the map, and designates a circular area including the house 311 as a prohibition area for adding position information. As such an assignment method, for example, an assignment method can be used, which consists in assigning a prohibition area for adding position information by drawing a circle with a finger of a user corresponding to an area to be assigned on the liquid crystal panel 300. In addition, a notation method consisting of in the designation of the area of prohibition of adding position information by pressing the finger with the finger of the central position of the area that should be marked on the liquid a crystal panel 300 and with a subsequent increase in the prohibition area for adding position information in accordance with the number of taps on the center position. In addition, a marking method can be used, consisting of marking when the user presses two points with a finger, used as the diameter of the prohibition area for adding position information on the liquid crystal panel 300, a circular region defined by two points as the prohibition area for adding position information. The areas of the prohibition of adding position information, thus indicated, are represented by dashed lines, such as, for example, the areas 321-323 of the prohibition of adding position information. In addition, the central positions and the radii of the areas of prohibition of adding position information, thus designated, are stored in the module 210 to save the area of prohibition of adding position information.

Here, in the case where the prohibit area for adding position information stored in the module 210 for storing the prohibition area for adding position information is to be deleted, the user presses the delete button 302 displayed on the map and the user indicates the prohibition area for adding position information to be deleted. As such a marking method, for example, a marking method can be used, which consists in designating a prohibition area for adding position information intended to be deleted when a user touches any portion of the prohibition area for adding position information that needs to be deleted. Furthermore, after the completion of such a new add operation or delete operation, a new add operation or delete operation can be entered by pressing the enter button 303 by the user.

It should be noted that, as a way of designating a prohibition area for adding position information, for example, a coordinate position on a map can be indicated by entering an address, and a prohibition area for adding position information can be indicated using a coordinate position.

5 is a plan view illustrating a case where an image is taken using the image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 schematically shows a case where an image is taken using the image pickup apparatus 100 in an area corresponding to a map displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300 of FIG. 4. Here, the extent 330 indicated in FIG. 5 is the extent corresponding to the extent of the map displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300 shown in FIG. 4, and is indicated as a dashed rectangle. For example, in the case where image capturing using the image pickup apparatus 100 is performed at positions 331-333 in the prohibition area adding prohibition areas 321-323, position information elements according to the image pickup locations will not be recorded in the captured image files images. In contrast, as, for example, in the park 314, in the case where the image is captured using the image pickup device 100 at a position 334 different from the prohibition area 321-323 of adding position information, position information according to the shooting location images are recorded in the image file of the captured image. The recording of position information in an image file will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

6 is a diagram illustrating an example file structure for an image file recorded using the image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in FIG. 6, a file structure is schematically presented for a still image file recorded on the basis of the DCF standard (Design Rules for the Camera File System). DCF is a file system standard for implementing image sharing through recording media between devices such as a digital camera and printer. DCF defines the assignment of a file name and folder structure when recording to an Exif-based recording medium (interchangeable image file format) is performed. This Exif is a standard for adding image data and camera information to an image file and defines a format (file format) for recording an image file.

The still image file 350 is a still image file recorded on the basis of the DCF standard, and as shown in position (a) of FIG. 6, the still image file 350 is constructed from related information 360 and image information 370. The image information 370 is, for example, image data generated by the image pickup unit 250.

Associated information 360 consists of, as shown in position (b) in FIG. 6, attribute information 361 and manufacturer mark 362. Attribute information 361 is attribute information or the like related to the still image file 350, and includes, for example, position information (GPS information) such as latitude, longitude and altitude, updated date and time the image was taken, image size , color space information and manufacturer name. It should be noted that, in an embodiment of the present invention, an example is presented where position information is recorded in attribute information 361.

Manufacturer's mark 362 is usually an area where unique user data is recorded and is an extended area where each manufacturer is free to record information (TAGID = 37500, MakerNote). It should be noted that this position information may be recorded at manufacturer's 362 mark.

7 is a diagram schematically illustrating an image file recorded using the image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 7, an image file 380 is provided in the case where an image is taken at a location other than the prohibition area of adding position information. Thus, in the case where the image is taken at a place different from the area of the prohibition of adding position information, the captured image generated by the image pickup unit 250 is recorded in the image information 382, and the position information obtained by the position information obtaining unit 220, recorded in the accompanying information 381. In contrast, in the case where the image is taken within the prohibition area of adding position information, although the captured image generated by the module 250 will and the images are recorded in the image information 382, the position information obtained by the position information obtaining unit 220 is not recorded in the accompanying information 381. It should be noted that in the example shown in FIG. 7, the case where the latitude and longitude is recorded as position information in an image file. Alternatively, other elements of position information, such as an address, a place name, and an area name, may be recorded in an image file.

Next, operation of the image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating process steps in the process of setting the prohibition area of adding position information using the image pickup apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, it is determined whether or not an instruction operation is performed that displays the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information on the liquid crystal panel 300 (step S901). In the case where the instruction operation for displaying the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information has not been performed (step S901), the operation of processing the setting of the prohibition area for adding position information is completed. In contrast, in the case where the operation entered to ensure the display of the setting screen of the prohibition area of adding position information has been performed (step S901), it is determined whether or not the symbol marking operation was performed to indicate the area where to be set the prohibition area of adding position information on the liquid crystal panel 300 (step S902).

In the case where the naming operation for indicating the area where the prohibiting area for adding position information has been set has been performed (step S902), the screen for setting the prohibiting area for adding position information including a map of the naming area is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300 ( step S903). In the case where the naming operation to indicate the area where the prohibition area for adding position information has not been set has been performed (step S902), tracking is performed until the naming operation is performed.

Then, it is determined whether or not a new operation of adding on the setting screen of the prohibition area of adding position information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300 has been performed (step S904). Thus, it is determined whether or not the “new” button 301 has been pressed on the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information, and the operation of designating the prohibition area for adding position information has been performed. In the case where a new adding operation has been performed on the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information (step S904), a new process for adding the prohibition area for adding position information consisting in adding a prohibition area for adding position information as a new prohibition area for adding information is performed about the position (step S905).

Then, it is determined whether or not the deletion operation was performed on the setting screen of the prohibition area of adding position information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300 (step S906). In this way, it is determined whether or not the delete button 302 has been pressed on the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information, and whether the operation of designating the prohibition area for adding position information to be deleted has been performed. In the case where the delete operation was performed on the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information (step S906), the process of deleting the prohibition area for adding position information consisting in deleting the designated prohibition area for adding position information is performed (step S907).

Then, it is determined whether or not the input operation on the setting screen of the prohibition area of adding position information displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300 has been performed (step S908). Thus, it is determined whether or not the “enter” button 303 has been pressed on the setting screen of the prohibition area of adding position information. In the case where the input operation has not been performed on the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information (step S908), the processing flow returns to step S904, and the new adding process and the deletion process in the prohibition area of adding position information are repeated (steps S904-S907 ) In the case where the input operation has not been performed on the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information (step S908), the operation of processing the setting of the prohibition area for adding position information is stopped.

9 is a flowchart illustrating process steps for a captured image recording process using the image pickup apparatus 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the image pickup unit 250 generates a captured image (step S911). Then, the position information obtaining unit 220 obtains position information (step S912). It is then determined whether or not the shutter operation was received by the shutter operation receiving unit 260 (step S913). In the case where the shutter operation has not been accepted (step S913), the processing flow returns to step S911. In contrast, in the case where the shutter operation has been accepted (step S913), it is determined whether or not the position information obtaining performed by the position information obtaining unit 220 was successfully completed (step S914). In the case where it is determined that obtaining the position information has not been successful (step S914), the position information addition determining unit 240 determines the recording of the captured image without associating the position information with the captured image (step S918). The recording control unit 270 generates an image file for the captured image without associating position information (step S919). In contrast, in the case where it is determined that obtaining the position information was successful (step S914), the position information adding prohibition area determining unit 230 determines whether or not the position (current position) established based on the received information has been turned on. about a position in any of the prohibition areas for adding position information stored in the module 210 for storing the prohibition area for adding position information (step S915). In the case where the current position is included in any of the prohibition areas for adding position information (step S915), the processing flow proceeds to step S918. In contrast, in the case where the current position is not included in any of the prohibition areas for adding position information (step S915), the position information addition determining unit 240 determines the recording of the captured image in association with the position information (step S916). The recording control unit 270 generates an image file for the captured image associated with the obtained position information (step S917). Then, the recording control unit 270 records the generated image file in the image storage unit 280 (step S920).

In the above description, an example has been described in which, in the case where the prohibition area for adding position information is to be set, a map is displayed on the liquid crystal panel 300 and the user manually indicates a circular prohibition area for adding position information on the map. However, the prohibition area for adding position information can be set in units of area such as units of countries, units of prefectures or units of municipalities. For example, the user may not want to record, as information about the situation, the user's actions to take an image, in everyday life, in the country in which the user resides. In the case when this user travels abroad, for example, it is assumed that the user travels abroad on a trip or the like. Thus, it is believed that the user may wish to record position information as trip history information. In this case, the installation operation can be performed easier by designating the area of prohibition of adding position information in units of areas. Thus, an installation method consisting in designating a prohibition area of adding position information in units such as a prefecture, a country or the like will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

10 is a diagram illustrating a general view of an installation method for setting a prohibition area for adding position information on a liquid crystal panel 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. At position (a) in FIG. 10, an example of display is shown in the case where the prohibition area for adding position information is set in prefecture units on the liquid crystal panel 300. In position (b) in FIG. 10 is an example of display in the case where the prohibition area for adding position information is set in units of countries on the liquid crystal panel 300.

For example, as shown in position (a) of FIG. 10, in a case where the prohibition area for adding position information is to be set in prefecture units on the liquid crystal panel 300, prefecture selection buttons 401-404 for selecting the desired prefectures are displayed. It should be noted that although only four prefectures, such as Tokyo, are presented in the display example shown in position (a) in FIG. 10, other prefecture selection buttons can be displayed by pressing, for example, the up and down scroll buttons 405 and 406. The area (s) of the prohibition of adding position information can be set by pressing the enter button 407 after one or a plurality of prefecture selection buttons are selected. It should be noted that when the “return” button 408 is pressed, another screen may be displayed that immediately precedes this screen.

In addition, the screen for setting the prohibition area for adding information shown in position (b) in FIG. 10 is an example where, on the screen for setting the prohibition area for adding information about the position shown in position (a) in FIG. 10, buttons 411- 414 country selections are displayed instead of prefecture selection buttons 401-404. It should be noted that, as the screen for setting the prohibition area for adding position information shown in position (a) in FIG. 10, only four countries are displayed, such as Japan in position (b) in FIG. 10. However, other country selection buttons may be displayed by pressing, for example, the up and down scroll buttons 405 and 406.

11 is a diagram schematically illustrating details stored in modules 420 and 430 for storing an area of prohibition of adding position information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Modules 420 and 430 for storing the prohibition area for adding position information are modifications to the module 210 for storing the prohibition area for adding position information shown in FIG. Modules 420 and 430 of preserving a region of prohibition of adding position information store in regions 422 and 432 of a prohibition of adding position information of region information, such as latitude and longitude, for establishing a prefecture region or country. Thus, in position (a) of FIG. 11, the module 420 for storing the prohibition area for adding position information used in the case where the prohibition region for adding position information is set in prefectures on the setting screen of the prohibition area for adding position information shown in position (a) in figure 10. In addition, in position (b) of FIG. 11, a module 430 for storing a position information adding prohibition area 430 used in a case where a position information adding prohibition area is set in units of countries on a setting screen of a position information adding prohibition area illustrated in position (b) in figure 10. It should be noted that in FIG. 11, the region information stored in the regions 422 and 432 of the prohibition of adding position information is excluded, and instead of this region information, prefecture names or country names are illustrated.

It should be noted that in this example, an example was described when the buttons for selecting a country or prefecture are pressed. Alternatively, for example, a map divided into units of countries, units of prefectures or the like may be displayed, and the designation of units constituting countries or prefectures may be performed by clicking on a desired area.

In the above description, examples have been described where it is determined whether or not to add position information depending on whether or not the current position of the image pickup apparatus 100 is included in the prohibition area of adding position information. However, even in the case where the current position of the image pickup device is included in the prohibition area of adding position information, for example, when a captured image is to be recorded that is unlikely to be transmitted to another person and uploaded to the website, it is believed that the position information may be added. Thus, a case will be described below in which the current position of the image pickup apparatus is included in the prohibition area of adding position information, and it is determined whether or not to add position information based on a certain condition.

12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the image pickup apparatus 500 is obtained by modifying a portion of the image pickup apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, and is an image pickup apparatus in which, instead of the position information adding determination unit 240 and the recording control unit 270, a position information adding determination unit 530 is provided and a recording control module 540, in which a module 510 for storing conditions for adding position information and a module 520 for receiving the recording parameter setting operation are added. Therefore, a detailed configuration description, similar to the image pickup apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, is excluded. In addition, with respect to another configuration, points are generally described that differ from the image pickup apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that since the internal configuration of the image pickup apparatus 500 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, a description thereof is omitted here.

Module 510 for storing the condition for adding position information is configured to save the condition for adding position information in accordance with recording parameters that can be set by the user, and module 510 for storing the condition for adding position information transmits the stored condition for adding position information to module 530 for determining add position information. It should be noted that the module 510 save the conditions for adding position information corresponds to the RAM 130 shown in figure 1. In addition, the details stored in the module 510 save the conditions for adding position information will be described in detail with reference to Fig.13.

The write parameter setting operation receiving unit 520 is an operation receiving module that receives an installation operation of setting recording parameters of an image file, and a recording parameter setting operation receiving module 520 outputs the received details of the setting operation to the recording control unit 540. For example, as a recording parameter, a recording format such as JPEG and GIF (graphic data exchange format), image size, or the like is set. It should be noted that the recording parameter setting operation receiving unit 520 corresponds to the operation receiving unit 150 shown in FIG.

The position information addition determination unit 530 is configured to determine whether or not to record position information output from the position information obtaining unit 220 in association with the captured image generated by the image pickup unit 250 based on the determination result output from the determination unit 230 an area of prohibition of adding position information and a recording parameter output from the recording control unit 540. The position information addition determining unit 530 sequentially outputs the determination result to the recording control unit 540. In particular, in the case where the position (current position) established on the basis of the position information output from the position information obtaining unit 220 is not included in any of the prohibition areas for adding position information, the areas stored in the area storage unit 210 prohibiting the addition of position information, regardless of the details of the recording parameter, it is determined to record the captured image in association with the position information. In contrast, when the current position is included in any of the prohibition areas for adding position information, it is determined, in accordance with the details of the recording parameter, whether or not to record the captured image in association with the position information. It should be noted that the determination in the case where the current position is included in any of the prohibition areas of adding position information will be described in detail with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the position information addition determination unit 530 corresponds to the CPU 110 shown in FIG.

The recording control unit 540 is configured to generate an image file of a captured image output from the image pickup unit 250, where the recording instruction is output from the shutter operation reception unit 260 in accordance with a recording parameter that corresponds to the details of the installation operation output from the installation operation receiving unit 520 recording parameter. The recording control unit 540 performs control for writing the image file to the image storage unit 280. In addition, the recording control unit 540 outputs a recording parameter corresponding to the details of the output of the installation operation from the receiving operation 5 of the recording parameter setting operation to the add information about determining position information 530. In addition, during the generation of the image file, the recording control unit 540 performs control to determine whether or not to write position information output from the position information obtaining unit 220 to the image file based on the determination result output from the add information information determining unit 530 position. It should be noted that the recording control module 540 corresponds to the CPU 110 shown in FIG.

13 is a diagram schematically illustrating details stored in a position information adding condition storage unit 510 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the module 510 for storing the condition for adding position information, the control number 511, the recording parameter 512, and the addition of position information 516 in the prohibition area of adding position information are stored.

The control number 511 is an identification number that identifies a condition for adding position information in accordance with recording parameters set by a user. For example, control numbers 1-6 are stored for individual conditions for adding position information.

The recording parameter 512 is a recording parameter set by the user. The condition for adding position information is set in accordance with recording parameters including the format 513, image size 514, and color / monochrome 515. Format 513 is an image file recording system that can be set by the user. 13, by way of example, a case is described in which “JPEG”, “RAW”, and “GIF” can be set as the image file recording system to be set. Image size 514 is an image size that can be set by the user. Color / Monochrome 515 is a “color” or “monochrome” that can be set by the user. It should be noted that the “-” in the recording parameter 512 means that all parameters are consistent.

Adding position information 516 in the prohibition area of adding position information is information indicating whether or not to add position information when any of the conditions “1” to “6” for adding position information of control number 511 is satisfied. Such information is indicated as “yes” or “no” in the example shown in FIG. 13.

The relationship between the recording parameter 512 and the addition of position information 516 to the prediction area of the addition of position information will be described below. For example, when a JPEG image file is to be uploaded to a website, the maximum image size is often determined. Therefore, an image file whose image size is relatively small can be uploaded to a website. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 13, with respect to the image file whose format 513 is “JPEG” and the image size 514 is “less than 800 × 600”, adding 516 position information to the prohibition area of adding information about position set to no. In contrast, an image file whose image size is relatively large will most likely not be uploaded to the website and will most likely be used personally. Thus, as regards the image file, the format 513 of which is “JPEG” and the image size 514 of which is “greater than or equal to 800 × 600”, adding 516 position information to the prohibition area of adding position information will be set to “yes”.

In addition, for example, a RAW image file is very likely not to be uploaded to the website and is very likely to be used personally. Thus, with regard to the image file, the format 513 of which is “RAW”, the addition of position information 516 to the prohibition area of adding position information will be set to “yes”.

In addition, for example, in the case where a GIF image file is recorded in color, such an image file can be uploaded to a website. Thus, in the example shown in FIG. 13, with regard to an image file whose format 513 is “GIF” and the color / monochrome conditions 515 are “color”, adding position information 516 to the prohibition area of adding position information set to no. In contrast, in the case where a GIF image file is to be recorded in a monochrome image, such an image file is more likely to be used personally than uploaded to the website. Thus, with regard to the image file, the format 513 of which is “GIF”, and the color / monochrome 515 of which is “monochrome”, the addition of position information 516 to the prohibition area of adding position information is set to “yes”.

In addition, in the case where an image file that does not meet any of the conditions “1” to “6” of adding position information in the control number 511, the image file can be uploaded to the website. Thus, the addition of position information 516, which is a prohibition area for adding position information representing “6” in the control number 511, is set to “yes”.

It should be noted that the conditions for adding position information shown in FIG. 13 are examples and can be changed as necessary, in response to a user installation, in accordance with a user’s usage status, probability of uploading to a website or the like. In addition, the conditions for adding position information can be set using other recording parameters. In addition, the conditions for adding position information can be set using other elements other than recording parameters. The conditions for adding position information can be set in accordance with other elements, such as whether or not the current time period is a day time period or a night time period.

Next, an operation of an image pickup apparatus 500 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processing steps for processing recording a captured image using the image pickup apparatus 500 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Since the processing steps are a modification of the processing steps shown in Fig. 9 and are the same processing steps as S911-S915 and S916-S920 shown in Fig. 9, their description is not given here.

In the case where the current position is included in any of the areas of the prohibition of adding position information stored in the module 210 to save the area of the prohibition of adding position information (step S915), the module 530 determines the addition of position information determines whether or not the recording parameter (current parameter recording) set in the recording control unit 540, JPEG format (step S931). In the case where the current recording parameter is a JPEG format (step S931), the position information addition determining unit 530 determines whether or not the size of the image recorded in the JPEG format is less than 800 pixels × 600 pixels (step S932). In the case where the size of the image recorded in the JPEG format is less than 800 pixels × 600 pixels (step S932), the processing flow proceeds to step S918. In the case where the size of the image recorded in the JPEG format is greater than or equal to 800 pixels × 600 pixels (step S932), the processing flow proceeds to step S916.

In the case where the current recording parameter is not a JPEG format (step S931), the position information addition determining unit 530 determines whether or not the current recording parameter is RAW format (step S933). In the case where the current recording parameter is a RAW format (step S933), the processing flow proceeds to step S916. In contrast, in the case where the current recording parameter is not a RAW format (step S933), the position information addition determining unit 530 determines whether or not the current recording parameter is a GIF format (step S934). In the case where the current recording parameter is not a GIF (step S934), the processing flow proceeds to step S918. In contrast, in the case where the current recording parameter is a GIF format (step S934), the position information addition determining unit 530 determines whether or not the current recording parameter is monochrome (step S935). In the case where the current recording parameter is monochrome (step S935), the flow proceeds to step S916. In the case where the current recording parameter is not monochrome (step S935), the flow proceeds to step S918.

An example in which a single image file is recorded using a single shutter operation has been described above. It should be noted that in recent years, image pickup devices that record two or more image files during a single shutter operation have become widespread. In the case where image capturing is performed using such an image pickup apparatus, for captured images generated simultaneously, a plurality of image files are recorded using different recording parameters. For example, an image file for a VGA image is recorded as a display image of an image pickup apparatus, and a JPEG image file with an image size designated by a user is also recorded. Thus, in the case where two image files are recorded using different recording parameters, for example, one image file can only be used to control the image pickup device, and it cannot be uploaded to the website. In addition, another image file is very likely to be uploaded to a website. Thus, even a plurality of image files that are recorded for captured images generated simultaneously can have different uses. Thus, below, with reference to the drawings, a case will be described in detail in which a plurality of image files are recorded for captured images generated simultaneously.

15 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image pickup apparatus 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Here, the image pickup device 600 is obtained by modifying a portion of the image pickup device 500 shown in FIG. 12, and it is an image pickup device in which, instead of storing a position information adding unit 510, a recording parameter setting operation receiving unit 520, a module 520, 530 for determining the addition of position information and a recording control unit 540, a module 620 for storing conditions for adding position information is provided, a setting operation reception unit 630 a combination of parameter a recording unit, a position information addition determining unit 640 and a recording management unit 650, and to which a recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 is added. Therefore, a detailed description of a configuration similar to the image pickup apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 12 is excluded. In addition, with regard to another configuration, a mainly moment that is different from the image pickup apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 12 is described. It should be noted that, since the internal configuration of the image pickup device 600 is the same as that shown in FIG. 1, a description thereof is omitted here.

The recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 is configured to save a combination of recording parameters used during recording of a plurality of image files for captured images generated simultaneously, and the recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 transmits the stored combination of recording parameters to the recording control module 650. It should be noted that the recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 corresponds to RAM 130 shown in FIG. In addition, the details stored in the recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 will be described in detail with reference to position (a) in FIG. 16. In addition, the recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 is an example of the recording parameter storage module described in the claims.

Module 620 for storing the condition for adding position information is configured to save the condition for adding position information in accordance with recording parameters that can be set by the user, and module 620 for storing the condition for adding position information transmits the saved condition for adding position information to module 640 for determining the add position information. It should be noted that the module 620 save the conditions for adding position information corresponds to the RAM 130 shown in figure 1. In addition, the details stored in the module 620 save the conditions for adding position information will be described in detail with reference to position (b) in Fig.16.

The recording parameter combination setup operation receiving unit 630 is an operation receiving module that receives an installation operation of setting a combination of recording parameters of image files, and the recording parameter combination setting operation receiving module 630 outputs details of the received setting operation to the recording control module 650. It should be noted that the combination of recording parameters is selected among the combinations of recording parameters stored in the recording parameter combination information storage unit 610. In addition, the module 630 receive operation setting the combination of the recording parameter corresponds to the module 150 receiving the operation shown in figure 1.

The position information addition determining unit 640 is configured to determine whether or not to record position information output from the position information obtaining unit 220 in association with captured images generated by the image pickup unit 250, based on the determination result output from the module 230 determining a prohibition area for adding position information, and a plurality of recording parameters output from the recording control unit 650. The position information addition determining unit 640 sequentially outputs the determination results to the recording control unit 650. In particular, in the case where the position (current position) established on the basis of the position information output from the position information obtaining unit 220 will not be included in any of the prohibition areas of adding position information stored in the prohibition area storage unit 210 adding position information, regardless of the details of the recording parameters, determines to record the captured images in association with the position information. In contrast, when the current position is included in one of the prohibition areas for adding position information, it is determined whether or not to record the captured images in association with the position information for each recording parameter in accordance with the details of the plurality of recording parameters. It should be noted that the determination in the case where the current position is included in any of the prohibition areas of adding position information will be described in detail with reference to FIG. It should be noted that the module 640 for determining the addition of position information corresponds to the CPU 110 shown in FIG.

The recording control unit 650 is configured to generate image files of captured images output from the image pickup unit 250 at a time when the recording instruction is output from the shutter operation receiving unit 260, in accordance with a combination of recording parameters corresponding to the details of the installation operation output from the 630 module receiving the operation of setting the combination of the recording parameter. Thus, a plurality of image files are generated in accordance with a combination of recording parameters, and these image files are sequentially recorded in the image storage unit 280. In addition, the recording control unit 650 outputs to the position information adding determining unit 640 a combination of recording parameters corresponding to the details of the setting operation output from the setting operation receiving unit 630 of the combination of recording parameters. In addition, during the generation of the image files, the recording control unit 650 performs control for each image file to determine whether or not to write position information output from the position information obtaining unit 220 to image files based on the determination result output from module 640 determine the addition of position information. It should be noted that the recording control module 650 corresponds to the CPU 110 shown in FIG.

16 is a diagram schematically illustrating details stored in the recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 and in the position information adding condition storage unit 620 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In a recording parameter combination information storage unit 610 shown in position (a) in FIG. 16, a control number 611, a first image recording parameter 612 and a second image recording parameter 613 are stored. Here, in the example shown in position (a) in FIG. 16, the case will be described as an example where, for captured images generated simultaneously, two image files are recorded using different recording parameters in one shutter operation. In addition, combinations of two recording parameters during recording of two image files are stored in the recording parameter combination information storage unit 610, and the user sets the desired combination of recording parameters among these combinations of recording parameters.

The control number 611 is an identification number that identifies a combination of recording parameters that can be set by the user. For example, the numbers 1, 2, 3 ... controls are stored for individual combinations of recording parameters.

The first image recording parameter 612 is a first image recording parameter related to a combination of recording parameters that can be set by the user. The second image recording parameter 613 is a second image recording parameter related to a combination of recording parameters that can be set by the user. As combinations of recording parameters that can be set by the user, for example, a combination of “RAW” and “JPEG” and a combination of “predetermined number of pixels” and “VGA” are stored.

In the module 620 for storing the condition information adding condition shown in position (b) in FIG. 16, the control number 621, the recording parameter 622, and the addition of position information 623 within the prohibition area for adding position information are stored.

The control number 621 is an identification number that identifies a condition for adding position information in accordance with recording parameters that can be set by the user. For example, the numbers 1, 2, 3 ... controls are stored for individual conditions for adding position information.

Recording parameter 622 includes individual recording parameters related to a combination of recording parameters that can be set by the user. These recording parameters are used as conditions for adding position information.

Adding 623 position information in the prohibition area of adding position information is information indicating whether or not to add position information at a point in time at which any of the recording parameters for recording parameter 622 is satisfied. Such information is indicated as “yes” or “no” in the example shown in position (b) in FIG.

It should be noted that combinations of recording parameters and conditions for adding position information shown in FIG. 16 are examples and can be changed, as necessary, in accordance with the state of use by the user, the likelihood of uploading to a website or the like. In addition, the conditions for adding position information can be set using other recording parameters.

Next, operation of the image pickup apparatus 600 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are flowcharts illustrating processing steps of a captured image recording process using the image pickup apparatus 600 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Since the process steps are a modification of the process steps shown in FIG. 9 and the steps S911-S915 shown in FIG. 17 are the same process steps as S911-S915 shown in FIG. 9, their description is omitted here . In addition, an example will be described in this example in which, for captured images generated simultaneously, two image files are recorded in accordance with two recording parameters.

In the case where it is determined that obtaining position information using the position information obtaining unit 220 was unsuccessful (step S914), the position information adding determining unit 640 determines to write two image files without association with the position information when shooting images (step S941). The recording control unit 650 generates an image file for the captured image without associating the obtained position information in accordance with the first image recording parameter (step S942). Then, the recording control unit 650 generates an image file for the captured image without associating the obtained position information in accordance with the second image recording parameter (step S943). Then, the recording control unit 270 writes the generated two image files to the image storage unit 280 (step S947).

In addition, in the case where the current position is not included in any of the prohibition areas for adding position information stored in the storing area prohibition area adding unit 210 (step S915), the position information adding determining unit 640 determines what to record two image files when associating position information with captured images (step S944). The recording control unit 650 generates a captured image image file associated with the obtained position information in accordance with the first image recording parameter (step S945). Then, the recording control unit 650 generates a captured image image file associated with the obtained position information in accordance with the second image recording parameter (step S946).

In addition, in the case where the current position is included in any of the prohibition areas for adding position information (step S915), the position information adding determining unit 640 determines whether or not the first image recording parameter matches the yes result when adding 623 position information to the prohibition area of adding position information (step S948). In the case where the first image recording parameter is “yes” (step S948), the position information adding determination determining module 640 determines to record the image file for the first image when associated with the position information with the captured image (step S949). Then, the recording control unit 650 generates an image file for the captured image associated with the obtained position information in accordance with the first image recording parameter (step S950). In contrast, in the case where the first image recording parameter corresponds to “no” (step S948), the position information addition determining unit 640 determines to record the image file of the first image without associating the position information with the captured image (step S951). Then, the recording control unit 650 generates an image file for the captured image without associating the obtained position information in accordance with the first image recording parameter (step S952).

Then, the position information addition determining unit 640 determines whether or not the second image recording parameter “yes” in the position information addition 623 in the region of prohibiting the addition of position information (step S953). In the case where the second image recording parameter is “yes” (step S953), the position information adding determination determining module 640 determines to record the image file of the second image when associating the position information with the captured image (step S954). Then, the recording control unit 650 generates a captured image image file associated with the obtained position information in accordance with the second image recording parameter (step S955). In contrast, in the case where the second image recording parameter corresponds to “no” (step S953), the position information addition determining unit 640 determines to record the image file of the second image without associating the position information with the captured image (step S956). Then, the recording control unit 650 generates a captured image image file without associating the obtained position information in accordance with the second image recording parameter (step S957).

Thus, in the case where a plurality of image files must be recorded for the captured images generated simultaneously using different recording parameters, a determination can be made of adding position information in accordance with each recording condition. Accordingly, for example, in the case where the image file for personal use and the image file for general use, which must be published with presentation to other people, must be recorded at the same time, the determination of adding position information in accordance with the purpose of use can be performed for an image file based on an image file. It should be noted that, since the database, the content management file for managing image files, and the like, which are used only in the image pickup device 600, are less likely to be published to other persons, it is preferable to record position information independently whether it will be recorded or not in the image file.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, as indicated above, for example, it is possible to prevent erroneous position information, such as the position of the user's home, which is undesirable for others to publish. In addition, the prohibition area for adding position information can be easily identified to determine whether or not to record position information that is undesirable to make public.

Here, for example, in the case where the captured image is to be published and presented to other people, a captured image with a relatively small size is often used. In addition, the RAW image is often used personally for the user. Thus, even in the case where the current position is included in the prohibition area of adding position information, the recording of position information in accordance with the image size, recording format, or the like can be performed by determining in accordance with the image size, format records or the like. For example, position information is recorded in an image file of the original image either with a certain image size or larger, while position information is not recorded in an image file suitable for sending via e-mail or to be uploaded to a website. Accordingly, the position information can be written to the image file personally, but the position information will not be recorded in the image file, which can be published to other people. Thus, it is possible to prevent disclosure of position information related to personal information to other people while using the image file.

It should be noted that, although examples in which position information is calculated based on a GPS signal are described in embodiments of the present invention, position information can be obtained using any other method of obtaining position information. For example, position information can be obtained using access point information on a wireless LAN (LAN, local area network) that exists in a specific environment, and such position information can be used.

In addition, although image pickup devices, such as digital cameras, have been described as an example in embodiments of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention are applicable to image pickup devices such as a portable video camera (camera and recording device), cell phone with a pickup module images, and a device such as a PC (PC, personal computer) with a camera function.

In addition, although image pickup devices that record still images as content have been described as an example in embodiments of the present invention, embodiments of the present invention are applicable to an information recording device that generates and records such content, such as a moving image and sound. . In the case where the position information must be recorded with a moving image, for example, position information can be recorded in the stream based on the stream. In addition, position information may be recorded in a GOP (group of images) based on the GOP, or position information may be recorded at certain time intervals in the stream. In this case, when the information recording apparatus moves, the determination of the prohibition area of adding position information and determining the addition of position information is sequentially performed, and the position information recording is controlled sequentially based on these determination results.

In addition, although examples in which areas where position information should not be recorded designated as prohibition areas for adding position information have been described in embodiments of the present invention, for example, in the case where the number of areas where the user wishes to record information the position is relatively small, areas where the position information should be recorded can be indicated. In this case, areas other than the designated areas where position information is to be recorded can be considered as areas of prohibition of adding position information.

It should be noted that embodiments of the present invention are illustrative examples for carrying out the present invention, and, as described above, embodiments of the present invention correspond to certain objects of the invention presented in the claims. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

It should be noted that the process steps described in the embodiments of the present invention can be considered as a method including these sequences of steps, or they can be considered as a program for the computer to perform these sequences of steps, or as a recording medium on which the program is contained. As the recording medium, for example, you can use a recording medium such as a CD (compact disc), MD (mini-disc), DVD (digital versatile disc), a memory card, a Blu-ray disc (registered trademark).

Claims (10)

1. An information recording device comprising:
a content generating module that generates content;
a position information obtaining module that receives position information at a time point of content generation;
an area determination module that determines whether or not a position established based on the received position information is included in a specific area;
a position information addition determination module that determines based on a determination result obtained by the region determination module whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at a time when the generated content is to be recorded; and
a recording management module that performs, based on a determination result obtained by the module for determining the addition of position information, recording the received position information in the generated content. 2. The information recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a module for storing conditions for adding position information, which stores a condition for adding position information that determines whether or not to enable recording of the received position information in association with the generated content, in the case when a position established on the basis of received position information is included in a specific area,
in which the module for determining the addition of position information determines whether or not to allow recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at the time when the generated content should be recorded, based on the determination received by the module for determining the area and the conditions for adding position information stored in the module for storing the condition for adding position information. 3. The information recording device according to claim 2, in which the module for storing the conditions for adding position information stores, as a condition for adding position information, a plurality of recording parameters at a time when the generated content should be recorded,
in which the information recording device further comprises an operation receiving module that receives a notation operation that denotes at least one recording parameter among a plurality of recording parameters stored in the storage unit of the condition information adding condition saving module,
in which the module for determining the addition of position information determines whether or not to allow recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at the time when the generated content should be recorded, based on the determination result obtained by the region determining module and the designated recording parameter, and
in which the recording control module performs, on the basis of the determination result obtained by the position information adding determination determining module, the recording of the obtained position information in the generated content is managed, and the generated content is recorded in accordance with the designated recording parameter. 4. The information recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a recording parameter storage module that stores a plurality of recording parameters at a time when the generated content should be recorded,
in which the module for determining the addition of position information determines for each recording parameter whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at the time when the generated content should be recorded, based on the determination result obtained by the region determining module, and many recording parameters, and
in which the recording control module sequentially performs, for a plurality of recording parameters, managing to write the obtained position information to the generated content based on a determination result obtained by the position information adding determining unit, and enables each recording parameter to write sequentially the generated content according to the plurality of recording parameters . 5. The information recording device according to claim 4, in which the recording parameter storage module saves many combinations of recording parameters at a time when the generated content should be recorded,
wherein the information recording apparatus further comprises an operation receiving unit that receives a notation operation that designates at least one combination among a plurality of combinations stored in the recording parameter storage unit,
in which the module for determining the addition of position information determines, for each of the plurality of recording parameters related to the indicated combination, whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated content at the time when the generated content should be recorded based on the determination result obtained by the area determination module and a plurality of recording parameters related to the indicated combination, and
in which the recording control module sequentially performs, for each of the recording parameters related to the indicated combination, managing the recording of the obtained position information in the generated content based on the determination result obtained by the position information adding determination module, and makes it possible for each recording parameter of the sequential recording of the generated content in accordance with a variety of recording parameters related to the indicated combination. 6. The information recording device according to claim 1, in which the module for determining the addition of position information determines that recording of the generated content should be allowed without associating the received position information with the content, in the case where the position established on the basis of the received position information, included
in a specific area, and determines whether to allow the recording of content in association with the received information about the situation with the content, in the case when the position established on the basis of the received information about the position is not included in a specific area. 7. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specific area is an area including a position related to personal information. 8. The information recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation receiving module that receives a notation operation that designates an area on the map as a specific area. 9. An image pickup apparatus comprising:
an image pickup module that captures an image of a photographic subject and generates a captured image;
a position information obtaining module that receives position information at a time when a captured image is generated;
an area determination module that determines whether or not a position established based on the received position information is included in a specific area;
a position information addition determination module that determines based on a determination result obtained by the region determination module whether or not to enable recording of the obtained position information in association with the generated captured image at a time when the generated captured image should be recorded; and
a recording control module that performs, based on a determination result obtained by the module for determining the addition of position information, recording records of the obtained position information in the generated captured image. 10. A method of recording information comprising:
a content generation step of generating content;
the step of obtaining information about the position, consisting in obtaining information about the situation at the time when the content is generated;
the step of determining the area, which consists in determining whether or not the position established on the basis of the received position information is included in the specific area;
the step of determining the addition of position information, which consists in determining, based on the determination result obtained in the step of determining the area, whether or not to record the received position information in association with the generated content at a time when the generated content should be recorded; and
the recording control step, consisting in performing, based on the determination result obtained at the step of determining the addition of position information, the recording control of the obtained position information in the generated content.

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